Wow! Where did the year go? We seem to have rushed through the first half without taking a breath from Christmas. Making us lose control and feeling like we're failing before we've had time to stop and take stock. Life seems to happen around us and gives us that feeling of being swept away, rushed, and trying to catch up. It happens to the best of us. As the winter sets in, we tend to adjust how we go about life to cope with the weather, dark mornings, and sombre moods of the surrounding people. But as we wrap up to brace the cold, let's not forget to stay connected, and live in the now, the present moment. Let's not forget to wrap our hearts with a smile so it is always warm, be polite to others, and send out positivity so the day starts well and even gets better.

This is just a little reminder to stop, yes stop so you can feel the day, feel connected to everything you are trying to achieve, and take deep breaths to calm and centre yourself Trust yourself to make the right decisions, even if they're a little uncomfortable.

The second half of 2024 might have looked very different from the beginning of the year. Are your goals the same? What gives you food for thought?

As I plan for the final month of my year, I know I feel very different. My plans have changed and I'm more eager than ever to accomplish my 'new' goals rather than simply say, oh well the year is nearly over I'll try again next year. That would not be good enough for me. You know what they say, "It's not over till the fat lady sings!" I'm going for the line, reaching for the stars, and hoping, just hoping, I can achieve close to what I want.

1. Plan; maybe it's a small plan, it might be a spreadsheet, or it might be in the form of a list. Don't worry, just start to write, it will come.

2. Visualise your tasks one by one. See your success at every stage. Think about how you feel when you see the smile on your face. Hold on to that feeling.

3. Congratulate yourself on your achievements no matter how small and tick them off your list.

4. Take back control one day at a time. You'll feel refreshed and ready to begin.

Yes, start the new year with a bang, planning, hoping, and inspiring. Don't crash through the first part of the next year without stopping to take a moment to appreciate the now.